The Ultimate '90s Bands Quiz

Were you a child of Pearl Jam and Public Enemy ... or have you just heard about them from your parents? Either way, let's test your knowledge of the whole grungy, alternative, new jack swing, gangster rap, ska history.

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Question 1 of 30

What '90s band was NOT from Seattle?

Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots was formed in San Diego.

Pearl Jam

The Presidents of the United States of America

Question 2 of 30

What '90s artist died just two weeks before the release of a double album that went on to go 10x Platinum?

Kurt Cobain

Notorious B.I.G.

Biggie was shot and killed on March 9, and "Life After Death" was released on March 25.

Jeff Buckley

Question 3 of 30

What '90s band broke through with a music video that borrowed footage from the television show "Happy Days?"

Nirvana

Weezer

The Spike Jonze-directed video for "Buddy Holly" was a huge hit on MTV and in heavy rotation.

Oasis

Question 4 of 30

What long-touring band was formed in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1991?

Third Eye Blind

Counting Crows

Dave Matthews Band

The Dave Matthews Band still tours.

Question 5 of 30

Kim Gordon played bass in what '90s band?

Bikini Kill

Sonic Youth

Gordon formed the band with Thurston Moore in 1981 and became a pioneer for women in alternative music.

Hole

Question 6 of 30

How old was LeAnn Rimes when her first hit, "Blue," was released?

17

15

13

Little LeAnn was barely a teenager when "Blue" made her a star in 1994.

Question 7 of 30

Who won a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 1996 for their album "The Score?"

Tupac Shakur

The Fugees

Their single "Killing Me Softly" also won for Best R&B Performance By a Group With Vocal the same year.

Snoop Dogg

Question 8 of 30

What was Nirvana's last studio album?

"In Utero"

"In Utero" was released a few months before Cobain's death.

"Nevermind"

"Come As You Are"

Question 9 of 30

"Cooleyhighharmony" was the debut album from what '90s musical group?

Bel Biv Devoe

Blackstreet

Boyz II Men

"Motown Philly" and "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" were singles from the 1991 album.

Question 10 of 30

What was the Smashing Pumpkin's first album?

"Siamese Dream"

"Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness"

"Gish"

"Gish" came out in 1991 and eventually was certified Platinum but didn't sell well initially.

Question 11 of 30

What '90s act's 1992 album featured a famous photograph of a Buddhist monk in the act of self-immolation?

Tupac Shakur

Rage Against the Machine

The eponymous album featured the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo from 1963.

Beastie Boys

Question 12 of 30

Brian Warner is the name of the singer of what famous '90s act?

RZA

Nine Inch Nails

Marilyn Manson

Brian Warner really doesn't bring the same dark glamour.

Question 13 of 30

What was the band Live's first big hit?

"Lightning Crashes"

"Selling the Drama"

The 1994 single kicked off a string of hits for the '90s band.

"I Alone"

Question 14 of 30

What '90s band had a huge hit on the soundtrack to the 1998 film "City of Angels?"

Collective Soul

Goo Goo Dolls

The single "Iris" was a smash and later on their follow-up album "Dizzy Up the Girl."

Gin Blossoms

Question 15 of 30

Portland band Everclear had a smash with what 1995 song?

"Santa Monica"

If you listened to alternative radio in the mid-1990s, you were sure to hear "Santa Monica." Over and over.

"Local God"

"Father of Mine"

Question 16 of 30

What was Mary J. Blige's debut album?

"Real Love"

"What's the 411?"

The 1992 album catapulted Blige into R&B stardom.

"My Life"

Question 17 of 30

What '90s metal band found an eager audience after being featured on MTV's "Beavis and Butthead?"

Black Sabbath

White Zombie

White Zombie had middling success as a band before their videos started to be shown — and enthusiastically celebrated — by the MTV cartoon goons.

Sixpence None the Richer

Question 18 of 30

Who is NOT a member of the Wu-Tang Clan?

Masta Killa

Inspectah Deck

Redman

Redman has collaborated with Method Man, but is not a member of the Clan.

Question 19 of 30

What famously tempestuous '90s band had its first dust-up in 1994, when one member hit another over the head with a tambourine?

Guns N' Roses

Metallica

Oasis

Liam Gallagher battered his older brother Noel with the percussion instrument on their first U.S. tour.

Question 20 of 30

90s band Chumbawumba had a big hit with 1997's "Tubthumping." What does tubthumping mean?

to forcefully state your opinions and arguments

Probably the most boring choice, but true.

to sing loudly

to pee in an enemy's drink

Question 21 of 30

Bradley Nowell was the lead singer of what '90s band, that only reached huge success after his death?

Sublime

Nowell died of a heroin overdose in May 1996, and the smash hit eponymous album was released in July.

Deftones

Massive Attack

Question 22 of 30

We all know that Garth Brooks had massive hits as a country artist. But for a brief time in 1999, he took on the alter ego of a rock 'n' roll musician named what?

Rex Canine

Chris Gaines

I like my names better.

Johnny Bomber

Question 23 of 30

What was the one Pavement single that made it onto the U.S. Modern Rock charts?

"Cut Your Hair"

Yet they're still cited as one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s.

"Summer Babe"

No Pavement single ever made it on the charts.

Question 24 of 30

Linda Perry has had a huge career writing hits for pop stars. But she got her start in what '90s band?

Sneaker Pimps

4 Non Blondes

Now try to get "What's Going On" out of your head.

Veruca Salt

Question 25 of 30

Let's not forget our boy bands: Which '90s group was the first to form?

NSync

98 Degrees

Backstreet Boys

Thank the Backstreet Boys (or their marketing team) for launching a thousand imitators.

Question 26 of 30

What '90s lead singer was named senior vice president of Interscope Records in 1999?

Fred Durst

That seems weird, right?

Ben Folds

Henry Rollins

Question 27 of 30

Aaliyah's second album, "One In A Million," included production from what other famous '90s musicians?

Timbaland

Missy Elliott

both

Both Timbaland and Elliott hadn't yet hit it big on their own.

Question 28 of 30

Blues Traveler frontman John Popper plays what instrument?

theremin

harmonica

It isn't the '90s without a harmonica solo from Popper.

moog

Question 29 of 30

How do you spell the name of the band fronted by Jay Kay?

Jamiroquai

This is definitely the hardest question on the quiz.

Jamiriquai

Jammiroquai

Question 30 of 30

What band's 1998 critically acclaimed album was inspired by Anne Frank?

Anthrax

Neutral Milk Hotel

"In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" wasn't a big hit at the time but now has been reported to still sell around 25,000 copies a year.